Overnight

Las Caldas, Asturias

Meals

Breakfast

Short Ride

Long Ride

Today we conquer one of the cycling mus – Angliru. The climb has a fearsome reputation and is the most feared climb of all the Grand Tours, possibly of all cycling races on the UCI World Tour. “The climb is extremely tough, almost inhuman” once said Oscar Sevilla.

Mighty Angliru, toughest climb in cycling We’ve had a couple of days seeing the race, today we’ll step away and conquer one of the cycling mus – Angliru. We’ll head off soon after breakfast for a short warm-up before we start the 12 km climb. Yep, it’s only 12km, not as long as Alpe d’Huez. …

Mighty Angliru, toughest climb in cycling

We’ve had a couple of days seeing the race, today we’ll step away and conquer one of the cycling mus – Angliru. We’ll head off soon after breakfast for a short warm-up before we start the 12 km climb. Yep, it’s only 12km, not as long as Alpe d’Huez. Just remind yourself of that as you ascend.

The climb has a fearsome reputation and is the most feared climb of all the Grand Tours, possibly of all cycling races on the UCI World Tour. “The climb is extremely tough, almost inhuman” once said Oscar Sevilla. The wet stage in 2002 had David Millar withdrawing from the race just short of the finish line in protest over the climb’s inclusion. However, in their defence, organisers say that a Vuelta without Angliru would be like a five-kilometre marathon or a 15-minute football match.

From La Vega it is 13km, but it is the final 6kms that the Angliru earns its reputation with an average gradient of 13%! Watch out for the ramps of more than 20%. Of course, you don’t have to go to the top, so just take your time and turn around when you’ve had enough and we’ll meet up in La Vega.

After the descent and lots of photo opportunities, you can either ride or we’ll transfer you back to our hotel. Tonight, you are free to dine at one of the local restaurants. If you’d like to some cultural experiences, we’ll also offer a return shuttle into Oviedo this evening to taste the wonderful Asturia cuisine and Cidre’s that are on offer.

TODAY IN THE RACEStage 15 – Tineo to Santuario del Acebo Riders return to a mountain stage with a summit finish. After more than 2 weeks of racing, riders will be weary from the climbing intensity of the Vuelta. Today’s 160km stage has two Category 1 climbs and the unclassified summit finish will tighten the screws for the general classification. Could we anticipate that a Columbian will be in the red jersey at the end of stage 15?